Estimating free-roaming cat populations and the effects of one year Trap-Neuter-Return management effort in a highly urban area
Estimating free-roaming cat populations and the effects of one year Trap-Neuter-Return management effort in a highly urban area
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DOI：
10.1007/s11252-016-0583-8
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发表时间：
2017-02-01
期刊：
影响因子：
2.9
通讯作者：
DiTullio, M.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Kilgour, R. J.;Magle, S. B.;DiTullio, M.
世界各地城市地区自由漫步的猫的数量正在增加。管理策略仍然存在争议，因为试图迅速减少猫的影响可能与寻找减少这种驯化物种数量的道德手段相冲突。诱捕-绝育-回归（TNR）是一种非致命策略，理论上可以通过道德方法导致种群数量下降。本研究旨在估计自由漫游的猫的数量，并衡量在高度城市化地区开展为期一年的 TNR 活动的效果。使用视线/重视方法，我们检查了纽约市两个社区（哈莱姆区和贝德福德-斯图文森特）四个地点的自由漫游猫种群。一年后重复采样，在此期间每个区域都进行了密集的 TNR 工作。这项研究的结果发现，种群数量估计范围为每公里 2.6-4.1 只猫。此外，我们发现每个研究领域的人员流动率在 78-98% 之间。经过一年的 TNR，我们治疗点的绝育个体比例增加到 50%。模型结果表明，没有证据表明绝育个体更有可能遇到，这表明绝育可能不会影响猫的运动模式。自由漫游的猫在所有研究地点都以高密度出现，尽管种群数量各不相同，即使在同一社区内也是如此。我们发现研究地点内存在大量迁移的证据，这进一步使灭菌管理策略的应用变得复杂。针对自由漫游猫的管理策略（例如 TNR）可能需要采取广泛的方法，涉及社区的不同方面，并且应该持续多年。
Free-roaming cat populations are increasing in urban areas around the world. Management strategies remain controversial, as attempts to rapidly minimize the impact of cats may conflict with finding an ethical means of population reduction in this domesticated species. Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is a non-lethal strategy which can theoretically lead to population decline with an ethical approach. The present study aimed to estimate free-roaming cat populations and also to measure the efficacy of a one-year TNR campaign in a highly urban area. Using a sight/resight methodology, we examined free-roaming cat populations in four sites across two neighbourhoods (Harlem and Bedford-Stuyvesant) in New York City. Sampling was repeated after 1 year, during which an intensive TNR effort occurred in each of those areas. Results from this study found population estimates range from 2.6-4.1 cats/km. Additionally, we found between 78-98% turnover in each study area. After one year of TNR, the proportion of sterilised individuals in our treatment sites increased to 50%. Model results suggest there is no evidence that sterilised individuals are more likely to be encountered, indicating that sterilisation may not affect movement patterns of cats. Free-roaming cats occur at high densities at all study sites, though populations varied, even within the same neighbourhood. We found evidence of considerable migration within study sites, which further complicates the application of a sterilisation management strategy. Management strategies directed toward free-roaming cats, such as TNR, may require a broad-scale approach, involving different facets of the community and should occur over multiple years.